Jim Vanderwal
@jimvanderwal.bsky.social
Climate change ~ Clean air ~ Clean water ~ Convening for change
Unceded Syilx territory
He/him
Unceded Syilx territory
He/him
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
Interesting that the federal government hasn’t reached out to B.C. or Abbotsford re: floods this week.
This was the front of the paper today, btw.
This was the front of the paper today, btw.
December 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Interesting that the federal government hasn’t reached out to B.C. or Abbotsford re: floods this week.
This was the front of the paper today, btw.
This was the front of the paper today, btw.
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
My Tyee article is out - on the stalewasem bridge: thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
December 12, 2025 at 6:57 AM
My Tyee article is out - on the stalewasem bridge: thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
NOOKSACK THREAD: As dawn breaks, western Sumas Prairie is on evacuation order. The lakebed is on alert. From border cams you can see Sumas, Wash., immediately south of Abbotsford is not flooded. Which is good.
December 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
NOOKSACK THREAD: As dawn breaks, western Sumas Prairie is on evacuation order. The lakebed is on alert. From border cams you can see Sumas, Wash., immediately south of Abbotsford is not flooded. Which is good.
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
“The City of Abbotsford has declared a State of Local Emergency and has issued an evacuation order for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West due to risk of flooding. Residents in the affected area must leave immediately.” www.abbotsford.ca/city-hall/ne... - The City of Abbotsford
#Abbotsford
#Abbotsford
Evacuation Orders issued for parts of Sumas Prairie West and Evacuation Alert issued for Sumas Prairie East | City of Abbotsford
The City of Abbotsford has declared a State of Local Emergency and has issued an evacuation order for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West due to risk of flooding. Residents in the affected area must ...
www.abbotsford.ca
December 11, 2025 at 7:32 AM
“The City of Abbotsford has declared a State of Local Emergency and has issued an evacuation order for 371 properties in Sumas Prairie West due to risk of flooding. Residents in the affected area must leave immediately.” www.abbotsford.ca/city-hall/ne... - The City of Abbotsford
#Abbotsford
#Abbotsford
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
It's also good to keep in mind that even a low efficacy flu vaccine is still likely to keep you and your loved ones out of the hospital and out of the morgue.
Thus concludes my ongoing plea for people to get their flu shot ASAP.
[5/5]
Thus concludes my ongoing plea for people to get their flu shot ASAP.
[5/5]
December 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
It's also good to keep in mind that even a low efficacy flu vaccine is still likely to keep you and your loved ones out of the hospital and out of the morgue.
Thus concludes my ongoing plea for people to get their flu shot ASAP.
[5/5]
Thus concludes my ongoing plea for people to get their flu shot ASAP.
[5/5]
👏 👏
Great example to follow, written in plain languages for those organizations struggling with AI policy at the moment.
Great example to follow, written in plain languages for those organizations struggling with AI policy at the moment.
We published our AI policy yesterday. It affirms our commitment to human-made writing, photography and illustrations. #journalism #localnews You can read more here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
The Tyee Has a New AI Policy | The Tyee
Long story short: We’re mostly taking a pass on the robots.
thetyee.ca
December 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
👏 👏
Great example to follow, written in plain languages for those organizations struggling with AI policy at the moment.
Great example to follow, written in plain languages for those organizations struggling with AI policy at the moment.
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
There's also the position of seeing people talk about the thing YOU created as a super intelligent machine and you wondering WTF they're talking about because there were more than 1,000 data workers who labeled the data you trained your model on.
There are basically only two positions in the debate about AI.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
October 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
There's also the position of seeing people talk about the thing YOU created as a super intelligent machine and you wondering WTF they're talking about because there were more than 1,000 data workers who labeled the data you trained your model on.
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
People continue to call COVID advocates’ pleas for masking “unreasonable”.
Yet people who’ve already been disabled by COVID have no choice but to live with the “unreasonable” burdens of constant COVID safety.
My latest:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Yet people who’ve already been disabled by COVID have no choice but to live with the “unreasonable” burdens of constant COVID safety.
My latest:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Beyond all reason
Long COVID patients are constantly harangued about our requests for COVID safety. Yet what we're asking for is far less than what we're called on to do to survive.
substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
People continue to call COVID advocates’ pleas for masking “unreasonable”.
Yet people who’ve already been disabled by COVID have no choice but to live with the “unreasonable” burdens of constant COVID safety.
My latest:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Yet people who’ve already been disabled by COVID have no choice but to live with the “unreasonable” burdens of constant COVID safety.
My latest:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
The human heart is
The size of a
Fist
Clenched.
Indefatigable, and infallible
On pain of death.
And yet it skips
At the most curious
Times,
To remind us of its finite
Beats.
And perhaps to attend us
To use them both wisely
And with abandon.
— Darren Markland, August 2025
The size of a
Fist
Clenched.
Indefatigable, and infallible
On pain of death.
And yet it skips
At the most curious
Times,
To remind us of its finite
Beats.
And perhaps to attend us
To use them both wisely
And with abandon.
— Darren Markland, August 2025
Darren Markland Obituary | Edmonton Journal Remembering
View Darren Markland's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 8 tribute posts from the community.
edmontonjournal.remembering.ca
September 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The human heart is
The size of a
Fist
Clenched.
Indefatigable, and infallible
On pain of death.
And yet it skips
At the most curious
Times,
To remind us of its finite
Beats.
And perhaps to attend us
To use them both wisely
And with abandon.
— Darren Markland, August 2025
The size of a
Fist
Clenched.
Indefatigable, and infallible
On pain of death.
And yet it skips
At the most curious
Times,
To remind us of its finite
Beats.
And perhaps to attend us
To use them both wisely
And with abandon.
— Darren Markland, August 2025
Mr PG FTW!
what is the best swag at ubcm and why is it these promotional stickers about prince george
September 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Mr PG FTW!
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
Thank you.
I was asked “am I ok” & the answer is no.
I am upset about what is happening now.
Listen to @wendyorent.bsky.social and I warn about this- specifically RFK- in 2023.
There was no way to get some people to take this seriously.
They joked. 🤷♂️
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
I was asked “am I ok” & the answer is no.
I am upset about what is happening now.
Listen to @wendyorent.bsky.social and I warn about this- specifically RFK- in 2023.
There was no way to get some people to take this seriously.
They joked. 🤷♂️
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
September 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Thank you.
I was asked “am I ok” & the answer is no.
I am upset about what is happening now.
Listen to @wendyorent.bsky.social and I warn about this- specifically RFK- in 2023.
There was no way to get some people to take this seriously.
They joked. 🤷♂️
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
I was asked “am I ok” & the answer is no.
I am upset about what is happening now.
Listen to @wendyorent.bsky.social and I warn about this- specifically RFK- in 2023.
There was no way to get some people to take this seriously.
They joked. 🤷♂️
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
I recently got COVID after 5+ years of trying to be careful.
I’m only starting to test negative after 2 weeks - seems like others have the same experience. This is not a cold.
One-way masking has its limits.
We wouldn’t tolerate drinking polluted drinking water, time to demand clean air!
I’m only starting to test negative after 2 weeks - seems like others have the same experience. This is not a cold.
One-way masking has its limits.
We wouldn’t tolerate drinking polluted drinking water, time to demand clean air!
September 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I recently got COVID after 5+ years of trying to be careful.
I’m only starting to test negative after 2 weeks - seems like others have the same experience. This is not a cold.
One-way masking has its limits.
We wouldn’t tolerate drinking polluted drinking water, time to demand clean air!
I’m only starting to test negative after 2 weeks - seems like others have the same experience. This is not a cold.
One-way masking has its limits.
We wouldn’t tolerate drinking polluted drinking water, time to demand clean air!
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
I guess you also could say things like "during AIDS" if you wanted. Mind you, a focus only on acute deaths is what COVID minimizers did all along.
Maybe unpopular take but I think "during COVID" is fine!
Death data show a clear acute phase from spring 2020 until spring 2022. Since then deaths have steadily trended downward and this winter fell below flu deaths. You can take COVID seriously and still talk about the worst of it in the past tense
Death data show a clear acute phase from spring 2020 until spring 2022. Since then deaths have steadily trended downward and this winter fell below flu deaths. You can take COVID seriously and still talk about the worst of it in the past tense
September 5, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I guess you also could say things like "during AIDS" if you wanted. Mind you, a focus only on acute deaths is what COVID minimizers did all along.
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
It’s been a while. Time to update. Comment if you are a BC local elected official and want to be added to the list.
go.bsky.app/UU5rr3i
go.bsky.app/UU5rr3i
August 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
It’s been a while. Time to update. Comment if you are a BC local elected official and want to be added to the list.
go.bsky.app/UU5rr3i
go.bsky.app/UU5rr3i
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
Canada is on the verge of adopting a national standard requiring N95s in healthcare—and your voice can help make it happen.
August 6, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Canada is on the verge of adopting a national standard requiring N95s in healthcare—and your voice can help make it happen.
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
Family of hostage held by Hamas pleads for international response after release of videos www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Family of hostage held by Hamas pleads for international response after release of videos
At a UN Security Council session, Evyatar David’s brother Ilay said silence was ‘complicity’
www.theglobeandmail.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Family of hostage held by Hamas pleads for international response after release of videos www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Golden orbs
Capturing sunlight for the first time in 2 years
As erratic temperatures interfere with their existence
The return of the humble peach brings a moment of joy
Capturing sunlight for the first time in 2 years
As erratic temperatures interfere with their existence
The return of the humble peach brings a moment of joy
August 6, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Golden orbs
Capturing sunlight for the first time in 2 years
As erratic temperatures interfere with their existence
The return of the humble peach brings a moment of joy
Capturing sunlight for the first time in 2 years
As erratic temperatures interfere with their existence
The return of the humble peach brings a moment of joy
Ok fine I voted for this bracket, but can I start a lobby that Ogopogo be properly named nx̌ax̌aitkʷ (pronounced N-ha-ha-eet-kw), **when** it moves to the next round @jmcelroy.bsky.social ?
indiginews.com/okanagan/don...
indiginews.com/okanagan/don...
July 18, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Ok fine I voted for this bracket, but can I start a lobby that Ogopogo be properly named nx̌ax̌aitkʷ (pronounced N-ha-ha-eet-kw), **when** it moves to the next round @jmcelroy.bsky.social ?
indiginews.com/okanagan/don...
indiginews.com/okanagan/don...
Best bracket yet!
Tomorrow! First round for Coastal Symbols!
featuring many fun and funny matchups, but also if the steam clock beats the mcbarge i will disown all of you and become a travel influencer
featuring many fun and funny matchups, but also if the steam clock beats the mcbarge i will disown all of you and become a travel influencer
July 16, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Best bracket yet!
💯
Every degree matters!
A recent presentation by a retired Canadian political advisor drove this home for me - their narrative was that future climate is all about China and India, so therefore emissions in N America / Europe don’t really matter. Imagine where we would be if no-one had done anything
Every degree matters!
A recent presentation by a retired Canadian political advisor drove this home for me - their narrative was that future climate is all about China and India, so therefore emissions in N America / Europe don’t really matter. Imagine where we would be if no-one had done anything
I get annoyed at the narrative that all the awareness and work on climate change hasn't done anything. Yes, global CO₂ emissions indeed continue to climb, but we don't know the counterfactual. When I was in grad school, we were on track for 5°C of warming. Now it's below 3°C. That's progress.
June 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
💯
Every degree matters!
A recent presentation by a retired Canadian political advisor drove this home for me - their narrative was that future climate is all about China and India, so therefore emissions in N America / Europe don’t really matter. Imagine where we would be if no-one had done anything
Every degree matters!
A recent presentation by a retired Canadian political advisor drove this home for me - their narrative was that future climate is all about China and India, so therefore emissions in N America / Europe don’t really matter. Imagine where we would be if no-one had done anything
What could go wrong? 🤯 😵
"AllTrails has a new generative AI feature that can be asked to 'shorten my route' or 'make this more scenic.'
But the people in charge of searching for lost hikers say the feature is going to exacerbate an issue they’ve been warning about for years: hiking apps providing false information."
But the people in charge of searching for lost hikers say the feature is going to exacerbate an issue they’ve been warning about for years: hiking apps providing false information."
AllTrails launches AI route-making tool, worrying search-and-rescue members
One of the world’s most popular hiking apps has a new generative AI feature that can be asked to "shorten my route" or "make this more scenic." But the people in charge of searching for lost hikers sa...
www.nationalobserver.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:26 AM
What could go wrong? 🤯 😵
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
Indigenous hydrogeology for the win!
And historians for discovering that early (and lost) technology.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
And historians for discovering that early (and lost) technology.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
A map, a myth and a pre-Incan lagoon: the man who brought water back to a drought-ridden town
When historian Galo Ramón uncovered a long-forgotten pre-Incan water system in Ecuador, he set about restoring it, and helped transform the landscape and livelihoods
www.theguardian.com
June 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Indigenous hydrogeology for the win!
And historians for discovering that early (and lost) technology.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
And historians for discovering that early (and lost) technology.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
A picture from a side project today - interviewing people to find the oldest, extant, in use structure in BC. That shed (constantly repaired & updated) is recorded by Simon Fraser in 1808, and was old then. Parts of it are 300+ years old, likely more - the rocks around are worn down by bare feet.
June 9, 2025 at 3:20 AM
A picture from a side project today - interviewing people to find the oldest, extant, in use structure in BC. That shed (constantly repaired & updated) is recorded by Simon Fraser in 1808, and was old then. Parts of it are 300+ years old, likely more - the rocks around are worn down by bare feet.
Enshittification in action…
When everyone is stuck using Microsoft 365, and Microsoft just made it impossible to disable Copilot AI. Gotta increase AI adoption rates of somehow! 💪 🤪
Today’s IT email:
When everyone is stuck using Microsoft 365, and Microsoft just made it impossible to disable Copilot AI. Gotta increase AI adoption rates of somehow! 💪 🤪
Today’s IT email:
June 4, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Enshittification in action…
When everyone is stuck using Microsoft 365, and Microsoft just made it impossible to disable Copilot AI. Gotta increase AI adoption rates of somehow! 💪 🤪
Today’s IT email:
When everyone is stuck using Microsoft 365, and Microsoft just made it impossible to disable Copilot AI. Gotta increase AI adoption rates of somehow! 💪 🤪
Today’s IT email:
Reposted by Jim Vanderwal
2021: There is no AI, you're doing your own laundry.
2023: CEOs are saying that AI is coming and will do your laundry.
2025: There is AI. You're still doing your own laundry.
2027: You're doing the AI's laundry.
2023: CEOs are saying that AI is coming and will do your laundry.
2025: There is AI. You're still doing your own laundry.
2027: You're doing the AI's laundry.
May 30, 2025 at 8:18 PM
2021: There is no AI, you're doing your own laundry.
2023: CEOs are saying that AI is coming and will do your laundry.
2025: There is AI. You're still doing your own laundry.
2027: You're doing the AI's laundry.
2023: CEOs are saying that AI is coming and will do your laundry.
2025: There is AI. You're still doing your own laundry.
2027: You're doing the AI's laundry.